Manager's Comments
"It's been a long pre-season and without doubt we're keen to start the season. The team has high hopes and we notice that the fans are also full of hope.
"It seems like there are lots of good vibes around and an expectation that Villarreal can do good things, but on that I'm also quite cautious.
"In football when you lose 4-0 it seems you're already relegated, while when we beat Fiorentina and Sporting Lisbon with room to spare it seems that we are going to conquer the world.
"You need to wait 10 or 12 competitive games and we will have a more realistic idea of what we can do this season."
Villarreal took four points off Almeria last term but were beaten 1-0 by the same opponents in the close season, going down to a second-half penalty.
Almeria, who were promoted through the play-offs, will be hoping to repeat that success but new coach Francisco Rodriguez - at 35-years-old the youngest manager in La Liga - knows it will be far from easy against a Villarreal side he has huge respect for.
"That match will have no bearing on this game in the official competition," he said.
"We're going to face a great opponent who can count on international players, who have a very high level in their squad and a good coach. Their potential is very big."
He added: "We are working hard to try and be at 100 per cent in the game with the objective of winning it and getting the three points."
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Great to be back in La Liga, here's hoping we can get a result tomorrow. Seen some journalists tip us for top seven!
Consolidation is key- summer signings have been decent and our form in pre-season was good too.
Going to have to Sky + Pellegrini's first game at City though.
Villarreal and Almeria
posted on 18/8/13
Also seen Suso has signed with them, so he'll be one to look out for. As I suggested may happen, someone came in for Charles.
I think I did a draw on the predictor?
posted on 19/8/13
Regardless of the outcome vs Villarreal, I think I'm going to tip Almeria for relegation. Wishing Rodríguez a successful year, but Young manager+1st season back in La Liga (run of poor results almost guaranteed at some point)+Spanish football's traditionally trigger-happy directors doesn't bode well.
At the very least, Marcelino should steer Villarreal to safety. I wouldn't get my expectation up higher than that atm. Once that's achieved, then perhaps you can look at something more ambitious in the final stretch. The points gap from the last EL slot and relegation is traditionally quite slim.
posted on 19/8/13
Yes, I just want us to survive first and foremost. I'll never forget that Atletico Madrid game.
Not sure about Almeria, the coach is very very young and their main player last season was Charles and obviously he went to Celta Vigo. I think they're a team we should definitely be finishing above.
posted on 21/2/17
Cornelius Botha
posted on 26/8/17
Taylor Swift: Why Right Said Fred are credited on Look What You Made Me Do
posted on 27/8/17
Sour puss puss
posted on 7/7/18
The following players have also been called up to the Croatia squad in the last 12 months and are still eligible for selection.
posted on 9/5/20
Half of the men aged 19-24 had met friends or family members they did not live with during lockdown, compared to 25% of women.